The £9 million allocated to communities affected by the closure of ExxonMobil’s ethylene plant at Mossmorran has been described as a potential "lifeline" for departing workers.
But there are calls for the Scottish Government to ensure that the cash only goes to businesses that guarantee interviews for the affected employees.
The measure was announced on Tuesday by the cabinet secretary for finance, Shona Robison, as part of the Scottish draft budget for 2026/27.
MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Mark Ruskell, said: “It’s been two months since ExxonMobil announced the closure of their Mossmorran site in Fife. And for too long, workers and the community have been left without any real, tangible support from the Scottish Government.
“The Scottish Greens have always been clear, the government needs a plan of action, and Fife desperately needs funding to help build a fairer, more sustainable future.
“The new funding could be a lifeline for communities and workers affected by the closure, but we need to see assurances from the government that any funding made available will put communities and workers at the heart of plans to restore the site and grow new skilled jobs.
“We need to see a jobs prioritisation scheme, like at Grangemouth, whereby it is a clear condition of any grants made to businesses through the fund that they will guarantee job interviews to those made redundant by the Exxon plant’s closure.
"Greens and trade unions have always pushed hard for a properly funded, worker and community-led plan because we all knew this closure was inevitable. Ministers cannot claim to have been taken by surprise. There isn’t time to waste.”
Following the budget statement, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer asked the cabinet secretary to confirm whether the party's proposed stipulation would be made.
Ms Robison replied that she is supportive in principle, and that deputy first minister Kate Forbes would take forward the details.
The funding will be delivered over three years, with £3m to be made available in 2026-27.
SNP MSP for Cowdenbeath, Annabelle Ewing, said: “A key announcement in the budget statement was the very welcome targeted support of £9m over three years for the communities affected by the closure of ExxonMobil’s Mossmorran plant.
“I will be writing to the cabinet secretary seeking clarification as to how the money will be targeted and how it is to be spent.”
The closure directly impacts 179 staff and around 250 contractors.
Around half of the latter, and 57 per cent of the staff, are from the local area.
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